Programme Coordinator - Pacific Women Lead

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The Gender Equality Flagship aims to effectively support SPC’s member countries and territories in advancing gender equality with the vision of Pacific women and girls in all their diversity enjoy their fundamental human rights, are safe, empowered and equitably share resources, opportunities and decision-making with men and boys. The Flagship works across five dimensions:

• gender-based violence
• governance and leadership
• learning and livelihoods
• women’s and girls’ health
• resilience and climate action

The Programme Coordinator – Pacific Women Lead is a senior role in the Gender Equality pillar of the Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Business Plan and, in parallel, for the SPC Gender Equality Flagship. The role will lead and manage the operationalisation of the programme plan. This includes managing the programme team, providing technical, operational and administrative support, implementing activities, building capacity, and managing the programme budget and finances. The role also provides technical, programming and strategic direction to help ensure the programme achieves its goal and intended outcomes. Where work links the objectives of the HRSD work programme and the Gender Equality Flagship, the Programme Coordinator has a matrix reporting relationship with others in the team, as required. The role also develops its direct reports.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Manage day-to-day implementation of the programme and ensure high quality advice and technical support to the programme

• Manage the PWL at SPC grant portfolio including project management, partnership management and monitoring, analysis and advice on grant progress
• Alongside the Manager Programmes (Pacific Women Lead at SPC) work to identify and develop new activities, systems and processes that will contribute to PWL at SPC outcomes. This includes developing concept notes, conducting due diligence assessments and finalising work plans, budgets and schedules for grant agreements.
• Provide technical inputs to the design, implementation and monitoring of programme activities.
• Review all materials and information developed under the programme.

Supervision, mentoring and supporting team members  

• Supervise and mentors the advisers and programme officers.
• Supervise overall performance of quality and timely technical support and advice in the programme areas of GESI, GVB and MEL.
• Provide advice, mentoring and support in the design and delivery of programme strategies, training programmes and other activities in relation to the programme.
• Ensure plans and budgets of the programme team are accurate, realistic and meet the programme objectives; and are regularly monitored and reviewed.

 Strategic planning, policy and programming

• Lead strategic advice with respect to planning, policies and programming for PWL at SPC.
• Contribute to national, sub-regional, regional and international planning, policies, programming and institutions that support PWL at SPC.

 Stakeholder engagement, networking and partnership coordination

• Represent PWL at SPC and HRSD effectively at national, regional, and international forums.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including donors and programme partners and grantees, including to share information on progress and outcomes of the programme.
• Collaborate with other gender advisory units across SPC.
• Establish, strengthen, and support partnerships that advance the programme objectives at national, regional and international levels.

 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Contribute to the design and implementation of effective MEL system for PWL at SPC, using both qualitative and quantitative indicators.
• With support from the MEL Manager, lead a monitoring framework to track the impact and realisation of the programme objectives and to document the impacts.
• Ensure programme narrative and financial reports are of high quality and completed in a timely manner.
• With support from the MEL Manager, collate and document the learnings from the programme and feeds this into SPC’s overall MEL processes.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate degree in social sciences, development or related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
• Diploma or certificate course in programme management.

Technical expertise

• At least 12 years’ experience in development programme management.
• Proven experience leading teams, including managing and developing teams, recruiting, supervising, appraising and mentoring staff.
• Extensive experience in programme management and reporting for large complex programmes including budget management, preferably for a development or donor-funded programme.
• Knowledge and understanding of gender equality concepts and issues, including in the Pacific including familiarity with the Pacific gender equality ecosystem and how it applies to programming
• Working knowledge of gender responsive planning, gender transformative approaches and MEL.
• Proven record of accomplishment in coordination and partnership building with donors, governments, development partners and civil society.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Pacific cultural values and international human rights principles and standards.
• Pacific experience and an in-depth understanding of the human rights (including violence against women), good governance and development challenges in the region.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is funded until 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Programme Coordinator – Pacific Women Lead is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,743‒4,679 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,566–14,458 (USD 5,016–6,270; EUR 4,526–5,658). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 2 November 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000100

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. What are the top two challenges you expect to face in working with Pacific Island Governments on advancing gender equality, and how would you address these?
2. Gender equality and women’s leadership are critical in organisations. Identify three specific challenges that arise when gender inequality persists within an organisation and briefly explain their impact on organisational performance or culture.
3. Provide an example of a donor-funded project you managed. Highlight the key elements of your project management approach (e.g., planning, budgeting, stakeholder engagement) that ensured its successful implementation and note one obstacle you overcame.
4. Briefly describe your experience working in a matrix structure with shared responsibilities for designing and delivering projects or programmes. Provide one example that demonstrates how you navigated this structure to achieve a successful outcome.